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Agbese:Wise, Intrepid, Fearless-Dare Babarinsa

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7 months ago

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Late Dan Agbese

 

 

Dare Babarinsa, CON
Chairman, Gaskia Media Ltd

I first met Oga Dan Agbese in 1984 during the preparatory days of Newswatch, the pioneering Nigerian newsmagazine. Before then, his reputation had preceded him as one of the stars among the alumni of our Department of Mass Communication of the University of Lagos, UNILAG. Then we met at the home of Dele Giwa, off Obafemi Awolowo Way, Ikeja, where I had gone to meet the four editors who were destined to shape our lives.

Agbese was the only one I did not really know among them then. He had the reputation of being the man writing the Candido column in the old New Nigerian newspapers, a great institution that dominated our growing up years that is now regarded as Nigerian Journalism Golden Age. Candido, the man behind the mask, column was said to have been created by Alhaji Adamu Ciroma, one of Agbese’s illustrious predecessors as editor of the New Nigerian. Here was he now before me in flesh and blood! We were to work together for five giddy years. His influence was to remain with me forever.
Newswatch early years was dominated by big dreams. I was among the four first editorial staff of Newswatch; Rolake Omonubi, Dele Olojede, Wale Oladepo and I. Among the four founders, three of them were already well known to those of us coming from the stable of the Concord Group of Newspapers. Ray Ekpu was already a famous editor who ran the Sunday Times with so much vigour and creativity that the old conservative elements of President Shehu Shagari’s government felt very uncomfortable with him. He was forced out and, in the end, resurfaced as the chairman of the editorial board of the Concord Group founded by that great man, Chief Moshood Abiola.

When I was a student at Unilag, Dele Giwa, as the feature editor of the Daily Times, was the man who made me a stringer for the paper. I was introduced to him by my friend and roommate, Waheed Olagunju, who later became the Managing Director of the Bank of Industry. I was writing a column for the Daily Times called Campus News every Friday. Yakubu Mohammed, the editor of the National Concord, was the one who employed me and Oladepo in November 1982. Mohammed was also the one Oladepo and I followed into Newswatch. The man we did not know before was Agbese.

 

We soon found Agbese to be in a special class of his own. To him, journalism was science. To him, a journalist needs to be precise and unambiguous. He should employ brevity if it would convey a clearer meaning than circumlocution. He writes as he speaks; with precision and wisdom. He put himself under the rigour of proof and demanded the same from us. When we encounter Oga Agbese, we knew we were in a special master’s class of journalism. He taught us a lot. He demanded beauty of expression; not of flowery language, but of the kind of words that convey greater truth than the best photographs and paintings. He was a special kind of artist.

Like his other colleagues, Agbese regarded journalism as an instrument of service to Nigeria and humanity. He was resolute, resourceful and intrepid in the pursuit of his calling as a first-class journalist. He believed in journalism as a pillar of any thriving democracy. He put himself in the line of fine for his belief. He was fearless. Therefore, he was one of the heroes who gave us democracy. He endured with dignity and courage the constant harassment and intimidations during the military era. In the formative years of Newswatch, he was designated the managing director until our editors decided to combine the office of Chief Executive and Editor-in-Chief and Dele Giwa was allowed to hold the two offices.
But the journey was meant to be turbulent. What was meant to be a professional business concerns soon became a serious struggle with the operators of the Nigerian state. On October 19, 1986, less than two years after Newswatch hit the news stand, Dele Giwa was killed with a parcel bomb and our life was changed for ever. Our editors were at the centre of the storm. The echo of that bomb still rings in our ears till today.

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Less than one year after Giwa was killed, Newswatch carried a story on a panel report on the draft Constitution that would guide the Third Republic. The military regime of General Ibrahim Babangida seems to have been looking for any excuse to pounce on the media house. This exclusive story, which is based on the truth, was the excuse the regime used to outlaw Newswatch. It passed a special decree, called the Newswatch Prohibition Decree, declaring that even the media house cannot seek redress in the court of law, declaring that “notwithstanding anything written in the Constitution or any other law,” Newswatch remained banned. It was the beginning of Newswatch Second Session. I remember Oga Dan and his colleagues, corralled in front of our office at Oregun Road, surrounded by security agents as they were being prepared for detention.

But no prison could keep the soul of a great person in bondage. Despite the travails and vicissitude of those days, Agbese and his colleagues stood tall. Agbese was figure of serenity under pressure, including the pressure of deadlines. He demanded from us his subordinates, the exactness of science and would not allow any fussy language to escape his scalpel as an editor. He demanded what he gave. His column, brimming with wits and wisdom, was a pilgrimage into Nigerian history and society. His thoughts, deep and clairvoyant, ring with candour and bitter truth. He was the one who described Chief Obafemi Awolowo as “the best President Nigeria never had,” in an essay he wrote to mark Awo’s 78th birthday. When Awo died on May 9, 1987, Chief Emeka Odumegwu-Ojukwu, was to quote him without attribution. Agbese was an original thinker who thought us to value critical thinking.

In October 1990, I went to inform him that I would be resigning. By that time, it had become an open secret that I and four of my colleagues were planning to start another magazine, TELL. He invited me to his house and we held a long discussion in his private study. It was an intimate moment and our discussion was frank. I learnt a lot of lessons on how to treat subordinates from the great men who led us in those giddy years at Newswatch.
I am indebted to Agbese. I learnt Mass Communications in Unilag, but the great men of Newswatch thought me journalism. Agbese was deep. His solidity and courage give the impression of timelessness. You have the feeling that nothing can scare him and when you enter his office, he would raise his head, with his glasses perched on his nose, you are confronted with something almost spiritual. Agbese had a presence filled with ethereal force, creative and comforting. He transmits his aura with effortless ease. He was a great man.

My memoir, One Day and A Story, published by Gaskia Media Ltd in 2016, was based on my five years tour of duty in Newswatch. After it was published, I went to my bosses at their new office on Acme Road to present copies. I was received enthusiastically. Our former General Editor, Olusoji Akinrinade, joined Agbese, Ekpu and Mohammed to give me a royal welcome. I am happy that I had maintained a cordial relationship with my old bosses over the years. Some years ago, when I approached Mr Mohammed to come and serve on the Advisory Board of Gaskia Media Ltd, he readily agreed.

Recently I visited him at home to congratulate him on the publication of his enthralling autobiography, Beyond Expectations. With the death of Agbese, a significant chapter of that book has closed.

But Agbese, like all great thinkers and writers, would always be with us. His corpus of works, which includes, Babangida: Military, Politics and Power in Nigeria, The Reporter’s Companion, and The Art and Craft of Column Writing, would ensure that down the centuries, future journalists, historians and youths, would continue to cherish the depth of his thoughts, the profundity of his knowledge and the sheer beauty of his rendering.

Now, he has embraced mortality, the ultimate fate of all of us, so that he can inherit immortality. His magnificent wife, Aunty Rose, and wonderful children, should take solace that the patriarch completed his assignment on this side of the Great Divide. When he was with us, he was blessed with the wisdom of the ages like a living ancestor. Finally, he has become a true ancestor. May his valiant soul find eternal rest.

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Opinion

NELFUND: Lifeline or Test of Sustainability?

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19 hours ago

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June 29, 2026

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By Ibrahim Maryam Queen

For many Nigerian students, securing admission into a tertiary institution is only the beginning of another struggle—finding the money to stay in school. Rising tuition fees, accommodation costs and the increasing cost of living have made higher education difficult to afford for many families. In response to these challenges, the Federal Government introduced the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND), a scheme intended to ensure that financial hardship does not prevent qualified students from completing their education.
The response has been remarkable. According to official NELFUND reports, more than one million students have applied for the loan, while hundreds of tertiary institutions have been onboarded onto the platform. These figures reflect not only the popularity of the programme but also the growing financial pressure faced by students across the country.
For one University of Abuja student, who requested anonymity, the loan meant the difference between remaining in school and dropping out.

“My father lost his job and my family could no longer afford my fees. I had already missed lectures, and I feared my education would end. The loan gave me another chance,” she said.

Her story illustrates the reality faced by many students. With household incomes under pressure and youth unemployment still a concern, financing higher education has become increasingly difficult. For many families, student loans provide immediate relief from a burden that might otherwise end a student’s academic journey.

However, the growing number of applications also raises important questions. If demand continues to increase, can the programme remain financially sustainable? While the scheme has attracted widespread interest, Nigeria has millions of students enrolled in tertiary institutions, suggesting that many eligible students may still not have access because of limited awareness, documentation challenges or difficulties with the application process.

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Another concern is repayment. Although the loans are designed to ease financial barriers to education, their long-term success depends on graduates’ ability to secure stable employment. Where unemployment or underemployment persists, repayment may become difficult, potentially affecting the sustainability of the scheme. This suggests that student loans cannot be viewed in isolation from broader economic realities.

Experiences from other countries provide useful lessons. A 2017 study by Nicholas Barr, Bruce Chapman, Lorraine Dearden and Susan Dynarski of the Centre for Global Higher Education, University of Oxford, found that poorly designed repayment systems can place heavy financial burdens on graduates. Examining the United States student loan system, the researchers observed that decades of accumulated debt and repayment challenges underscored the importance of creating fair and sustainable loan policies. While Nigeria’s scheme differs from the American model, the study highlights the need for careful implementation and continuous review.

Transparency and public confidence will also determine whether the programme succeeds. Regular publication of data on applications, disbursements, beneficiaries and repayment performance will help strengthen accountability. At the same time, expanding awareness campaigns, particularly in underserved communities, could ensure that eligible students are not excluded simply because they lack information about the scheme.

NELFUND has already provided hope to many students who might otherwise have abandoned their education. Yet its long-term impact will depend not only on the number of loans disbursed but also on sound management, transparent administration and an economy capable of creating opportunities for graduates. Without these, even the most ambitious education financing programme may struggle to achieve its objectives.

Student loans are more than financial assistance; they are an investment in human capital and national development. Whether NELFUND ultimately becomes a lasting lifeline for Nigerian students or a test of sustainable higher education financing will depend on the choices made today by policymakers, institutions and all stakeholders responsible for its implementation.

Sources
Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND), Official Reports.
National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), Labour Force Survey.
Student Loans (Access to Higher Education) Act, 2024.
Barr, N., Chapman, B., Dearden, L., & Dynarski, S. (2017). Student Loan Design. Centre for Global Higher Education, University of Oxford.
Vanguard Newspaper.
Punch Newspaper.
Interview with an anonymous University of Abuja student (June 2026).

Ibrahim maryam queen
200level student of the department of Development and strategic communication university of Abuja.

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Opinion

AI Delusion Among Students: When Smart Tools Start Replacing Real Connections, The Truth About AI And Student Life

Published

19 hours ago

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June 29, 2026

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BY: NDUBUISI MICHAEL SOMTOCHUKWU

In recent years, Artificial intelligence in Nigeria has rapidly shifted from the digital technologies concept talked about in the past to an everyday companion for students. AI has evolved past just helping students with their assignments and now is seen as capable of giving emotional support when needed. With AI tools such as chat GPT and Claude being able to interact with students, it has now become deeply integrated into their lives. While this shift is seen as an undeniable, beneficial way to help students, it also introduces an emerging concern often described as the term known as AI Delusion, the tendency to over rely on AI systems sometimes mistaking their human like understanding, empathy or authority. From a students perspective, this phenomenon is quietly changing relationships, mentorship and counseling in ways that are both empowering and potentially risky.

AI in academic fields has made communication faster and easier. Nigerian Students now use AI to draft messages, generate conversation ideas, and even simulate companionship through chatbots. For many, especially those who feel isolated or socially anxious, AI can feel like a safe space and non-judgmental, always available, and responsive. However, this convenience comes with a trade-off. Human relationships are built on emotional nuance, shared experiences, and mutual vulnerabilities, qualities AI cannot truly replicate. When students begin to substitute real interactions with AI conversations, they may unintentionally weaken their social skills and reduce meaningful human connections.

From a student’s point of view, the danger lies not in using AI, but in preferring it over people. This is where AI delusion begins: when a student starts believing that AI “understands” them better than their peers or family.

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Traditionally, mentorship involves guidance from experienced individuals such as teachers, seniors, or professionals, who provide not just knowledge, but wisdom shaped by real life experiences. In Today’s society, AI tools are used to acquire quick answers, career advice, and academic support, making students prefer these tools over human experience, The speed and accessibility of AI tools is what students appreciate and for most students, it reduces the need to schedule appointments and prevents the fear and judgement students might face when making real connections, they delude themselves saying “it really gets me”.

Mentorship is more than information. A human mentor challenges assumptions, shares personal failures, and adapts guidance based on deep understanding of a student’s personality and context. AI, on the other hand, generates responses based on patterns, not lived experience.

AI in Nigeria offers privacy, immediacy, and a sense of safety. Students may feel more comfortable opening up to a machine than to a person, especially when dealing with stigma or fear of judgment. However, AI lacks true empathy and cannot fully understand complex emotional or psychological conditions. It also cannot replace trained professionals in handling serious mental health issues. From a student’s perspective, AI can feel “good enough,” especially in moments of distress. But relying solely on AI for emotional support can create a false sense of being understood—another form of AI delusion. It may delay seeking real help when it is truly needed

A practical example is being a student in Abuja or Lagos chats with AI every night about stress, school, or relationships. He or she soon Stops opening up to friends and Feels more “heard” by AI than by real people, Believing AI genuinely understands emotions better than humans.

AI is not entirely to blame as misuse and over-dependence when it t comes from the students, From the student’s perspective, the goal should be balance, not avoidance. There are practical ways to minimize delusion of AI,these ways consist of things like allowing it to assist learning and not replace critical thinking, prioritizing real conversations with friends, teachers, and family, combining AI insights with guidance from experienced individuals, and knowing when to seek health for serious emotional or mental health concerns, in summary consult professionals.

Nigeria is experiencing rapid AI adoption, with over 90% of users relying on it for complex tasks and extensive use of chatbots. This high engagement, without adequate local ethical frameworks or mental health support, increases the risk of negative psychological impact. Experts in Nigeria have raised alarms about students experiencing hallucinations, paranoia, and a distorted sense of reality after prolonged, immersive interactions with AI a phenomenon sometimes termed “AI psychosis”.

Other critics however, argue that calling it “AI delusion” exaggerates the issue. Students are not necessarily “deluded”; many are fully aware that AI is not human. Instead, they are simply adapting to a more efficient tool. According to some critics, It may be more accurate to describe the trend as behavioral dependence, not psychological confusion. Historically, similar fears were raised about calculators, the Internet, and smartphones—yet society adapted.

NDUBUISI MICHAEL SOMTOCHUKWU wrote from Department of strategic communications University of Abuja and can be reached at ndubuisimichael292@gmail.com

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Opinion

Open letter to Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf on the Need To Include PCN, NAFDAC In Special Task Force On Drug Abuse And Illicit Trafficking

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1 day ago

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June 28, 2026

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By Saidu Lawal Burji

I wish to commend Your Excellency for the timely establishment of the Special Task Force on Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking in Kano State. This initiative demonstrates your administration’s commitment to protecting the health, security, and future of the citizens of Kano State, particularly the youth who are disproportionately affected by substance abuse and illicit drug trafficking.

The composition of the Task Force reflects a commendable multi-sectoral approach involving security agencies, health institutions, traditional and religious stakeholders, and civil society representatives. However, considering the critical role of pharmaceutical regulation in combating drug abuse and illicit drug circulation, I respectfully wish to advocate for the inclusion of representatives from the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) and the Pharmacy Council of Nigeria (PCN) as members of the Task Force.

The inclusion of these two statutory regulatory agencies would significantly strengthen the operational capacity and effectiveness of the Task Force for the following reasons:

Expertise in Drug Regulation and Control

NAFDAC is the foremost federal agency charged with regulating and controlling the manufacture, importation, distribution, sale, and use of medicines and other regulated products in Nigeria. The agency possesses extensive intelligence, technical expertise, and enforcement experience relating to counterfeit, substandard, unregistered, and controlled substances that often fuel drug abuse.

Regulation of Pharmaceutical Premises and Medicine Distribution Channels

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The Pharmacy Council of Nigeria is the statutory body responsible for regulating pharmacy practice, pharmaceutical premises, patent and proprietary medicine vendors, and medicine distribution systems. PCN’s knowledge of legitimate medicine supply chains and pharmaceutical establishments would be invaluable in identifying sources of diversion, illegal medicine sales, and unauthorized drug outlets.

Support for Intelligence Gathering and Enforcement Operations

Both agencies maintain valuable databases and field intelligence relating to pharmaceutical products, distribution networks, and regulatory violations. Their participation would enhance the Task Force’s ability to identify illicit drug distribution points and support evidence-based enforcement actions.

Strengthening Investigations and Prosecution

Effective prosecution of drug-related offences requires technical evidence concerning drug authenticity, regulatory status, licensing requirements, and pharmaceutical standards. NAFDAC and PCN can provide expert witnesses, forensic support, and regulatory documentation necessary for successful prosecution of offenders.

Public Education and Demand Reduction

Both agencies have extensive experience in public enlightenment campaigns on rational medicine use, dangers of substance abuse, and safe medicine practices. Their participation would strengthen the advocacy and preventive components of the Task Force’s mandate.

Promotion of a Comprehensive Public Health Approach

Drug abuse is not only a security challenge but also a significant public health issue. The inclusion of NAFDAC and PCN would ensure that regulatory, preventive, and public health perspectives are adequately integrated into the Task Force’s activities.

Your Excellency, the inclusion of these agencies will complement the efforts of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) and other security institutions while ensuring a more comprehensive and sustainable response to the challenge of drug abuse and illicit trafficking in Kano State.

I therefore respectfully appeal to Your Excellency to consider expanding the membership of the Special Task Force to include one representative each from NAFDAC and the Pharmacy Council of Nigeria.

I am confident that such inclusion will further strengthen the capacity of the Task Force to achieve its noble objectives and contribute meaningfully to the realization of a healthier, safer, and drug-free Kano State.

Please accept the assurances of my highest esteem and regards.

Yours faithfully,

Saidu Lawal Burji Bpharm, MHE, Msc GHaP(in view)
Chief Pharmacist
Pharmacy Council of Nigeria
Kano State Office
burji1120@gmail.com

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